Knife-edge poll leaves election to fraction of a point

The election is on a knife-edge, with a fraction of a percentage point able to decide who governs, according to the latest Post/Freshwater Strategy poll. RNZ

Labour was on 29.7 percent support and National on 27.6 percent. The gap between the two largest parties was within the margin of error.

The Greens were on 14.3 percent, followed by NZ First on 11.8 percent and ACT on 9 percent. Te Pāti Māori was on 2 percent.

The Opportunity Party was on 5.4 percent, just above the 5 percent threshold for entry to Parliament. At that level it was positioned as a potential kingmaker, with its support able to decide the shape of the next government.

If it stayed above 5 percent, its projected seven MPs could give Labour a narrow 61-seat majority, according to Stuff.

The poll surveyed 1458 eligible voters aged over 18 between 9 and 19 October. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins and National leader Christopher Luxon were to meet for a final major debate hosted by Stuff and The Post on Tuesday night.